The British heavyweight has had a strong year, stopping all four of his opponents to keep him unbeaten in 15 career bouts.

At 41, Thompson is a long-in-the tooth veteran but he will still pose a serious threat to Price. Should the Briton overcome him, and in a similar fashion to his recent wins, he will move another step closer to a world-title fight.

Thompson lost to Wladimir Klitschko for the second time in July this year and has lost three contests overall in his 39 career fights.

And Price's promoter Frank Maloney is confident that his man will not come unstuck in Liverpool but admits he is expecting a typically tough encounter.

"This is the right fight at the right time for David and one where a win will propel him even higher," he told the Daily Mail.

"Thompson still has ambition and I am certain that he will come to win and score a major upset."